Imran Farooq case: As suspect gets bail, police close to cracking case

Phone records reveal information, money laundering also a motive.

Police authorities have released on bail Iftikhar Hussain, who was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit the murder of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Imran Farooq.

According to reports, Hussain was grilled by the UK  police for 34 hours at two different police stations, before his bail on a personal warranty.

His lawyer was also present during the police questioning. Hussain was detained by counter-terrorism officers as he arrived on a flight from Canada and was taken to a West London police station.

Sources familiar with the developments allege that Hussain is a close relative of a top Pakistani politician.

The arrest came after the Canadian police informed their British counterparts about Hussain’s flight from Toronto to London.

After his arrest, the phone sims of the suspect were taken in custody and the data gathered from them has brought some important information to light.

Some political party workers and a woman, reportedly the wife of a politician, have also been included in the investigation on Tuesday, Express News reported.

Apart from the involvement of some political figures, money laundering is also seen as an important link in understanding the motive behind Farooq’s murder.

Police say that while detailed information cannot be disclosed as yet, they have reached close to unravelling the mystery.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26^th, 2013.

Correction: An earlier version of the story was running an incorrect picture. The error is regretted.